On this occasion I headed to the heart of Cádiz Bay. Inaugurated in 2006 and located close to such towns as Puerto Real and San Fernando and the capital city of Cádiz – all of which evoke the purest essence of Andalucía’s soul – Villa Nueva Golf has become a point of reference in the area.
From my home on the Costa del Sol it is about one and a half hours, taking the ever-attractive Ruta del Toro (Route of the Bull) and heading towards the coast at Medina Sidonia. This is also the route to the courses of Sancti Petri, making it an appealing destination for a getaway or golf holiday.
When I arrived at Villa Nueva, on a cloudy morning in mid-February, with the threat of rain that later became a reality, I was surprised by the many people on the practice ground, in spite of the weather conditions – and the fact it was in the middle of a week that wasn’t exactly the high season. The course had an occupation rate that was above the average in these unfortunate times of crisis.
On my arrival I was met by the course director, Oliver Günther, a German who has lived in Andalucía for decades and fallen in love with the region. And, even though it is not common for me, later I would play a round with him. “In this area,” he said, “we are able to savour the typical and authentic Andalucian culture: the wine, the flamenco, the bulls, the gastronomy… It is a different world to the Costa del Sol. Furthermore, just a few minutes away we have one of the best beaches in the world, La Barrosa, more than nine kilometres long and an average width of more than 200 metres, with the best sand in southern Europe.”
The course is wide and open, and gives the impression on first viewing that it is not too complicated – with a gently sloping terrain, though abundant water. But this first impression can prove to be wishful thinking if the Levante (easterly) or Poniente (westerly) blows – whichever. Villa Nueva can sometimes become a true links-style course, although it does not run beside the sea. There are many Swedish and German players here, some of whom come with their own pro, as well as locals.
The greens are very large and fast. Some believe they are the best in Andalucía, with a great deal of movement and the danger of taking three putts if you don’t read the slopes well – and over-rate your ability! They are seeded with Penncross, and the fairways with Bermuda 419, though there are plans in the medium term to incorporate paspalum, the famous American grass which requires less irrigation, handles water salinity better and remains green throughout the year. The vegetation, still at the growing stage in some areas, mainly comprises olive, pine and palm trees, as well as casuarlnas.
On this course, every time you finish a round you invariably feel the need to play it again because your expectations are rarely fulfilled here, and you always have the sensation you could have played better.
The first hole is a par-4 of 326 metres (the yardages mentioned here are from the yellow markers), with a pronounced dogleg to the right. A drive to this area is threatened by out of bounds and a bunker lying in wait. You have to hit over it. A drive to the left will leave you too far away from the green and require a long second shot. The green is well protected by two bunkers to the left and right.
The second, another par-4, of 339 metres, has an open landing area to the right but beware the rough, which can complicate the second shot. To the left a large tree can also cause problems. The best route, as nearly always, is down the middle of the fairway. The raised green is guarded by two bunkers on each side.
The third is a recovery hole: a par-5, 463 metres, straight, without too many complications.
The fourth is the first par-3 on the course. Not very long, 144 metres, but with a large lake almost all the way along the side, including the right of the green. There is out of bounds to the left. The only solution is to hit on to a green which is quite undulating. In short, the hole requires precision.
The fifth, a 348-metre par-4, has a thick tree area to the right and a lake to the left. Again, you have to hit down the middle of the fairway. From there, the shot to the green is not all that long – or complicated.
The sixth is a par-5, 459 metres, with a fairway lined with trees. It is not a bad option to use an iron off the tee for safety. The green, also raised, is very undulating, on two levels and with a bunker at the front. It is not an easy hole, though with some luck you can achieve a good result.
The next hole is a 179-metre par-3 which can become very long on a windy day. If this is blowing against you, as is customary, you sweat to make the green.
A par-4 of 388 metres, the eighth is handicap 2, and fairly complicated. Reaching the green in two is difficult with wind – a bogey is not a bad result.
The ninth is a dogleg right, with the practice ground on one side past a long line of trees. There is a huge tree on the left in the landing area, so best to hit an iron or short-wood if you are not a long-hitter or very sure of yourself. The green is surrounded by bunkers. It is not an easy hole.
The 10th, a 436-metre par-5, is another recovery hole at Villa Nueva Golf. The only difficulty is the tee shot, as you have water almost in front of you – which can intimidate some players. With a good drive you can try to attack the green, though it is very well protected by bunkers in front and a lake behind. If you decide not to take any risks, it shouldn’t be a problem.
On the short par-3 11th, 139 metres, the only difficulty depends on the position of the flag. To the right and at the back of the green there are two large bunkers; while a stream crosses over the fairway. The green is very undulating. Par is not a bad result.
The 368-metre par-4 12th seems at first to be quite easy, but there are a lot of hazards. On the left there is a water canal and on the right several olive trees. Bunkers are located at the landing area, thus requiring caution with the tee shot. A difficult hole.
On the 13th, a 322-metre par-4, if you make the fairway you should beat the hole, in spite of a large bunker that protects the green on the left.
The next hole is handicap 1 – and justifies that rating. The first shot should be hit to the right but with great care because there is the risk of out of bounds, and on the other side, water. Halfway down the fairway the stream re-appears (it comes into play on various holes). Almost certainly you will have to hit over the lake on the left, not leaving it short, because if you don’t make the green in three it is a difficult par-5 of 513 metres.
By way of compensation, the 15th is an easy hole, a 132-metre par 3. It is fun and the ideal hole to bet a beer on the result.
The 16th, a 370-metre par-4, has plenty of native trees. The drive is a typical shot through a line of trees, requiring a very straight shot. On the green you have the sensation of hitting towards the lake as it is slightly inclined in that direction. There are problems on all sides of this hole.
The 129-metre par-3 17th is truly beautiful, with a large lake on the left that comes quite a lot into play. There are no great difficulties.
The 18th, a 448-metre par-5, could be considered the most emblematic hole on the course. It is a pronounced dogleg left, where there is a lot of water. It is preferable to hit an iron off the tee to find the fairway. If you hit too far to the right, you distance yourself from the green. Many players try to hit over the lake but this requires a flighted shot of 230 metres, which usually ends up with your ball in the water. If you are too bold you might end up in trouble.
In front of the green on this final hole, a hotel and clubhouse are being built that won’t leave anyone indifferent.
Without a doubt, it is well worth a visit to Villa Nueva Golf and, if you have the time (as it is just a few minutes away), have a drive around Cádiz: the Havana of Andalucía, as the poet wrote.
